Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-31
CATARRH.

THE TERM CATARRH IS APPLIED TO A
Il peculiar disorder of the nostrils and ad-
jacent parts, which prevails to an alarming
extent, and is productive OF very serious
consequences.
The most prominent and characteristic
feature is morbid discharge from the head,
varying in its nature at different times.
In some there Is an almost constant flow
OF clear, aCrid fluid, but Oftener an offensive,
purulent or muco-purulent, grecnish- yellow
matter Is secreted which accumulates in
the nostr!is or drops into the throat, neces-
sitaung'its frequent removal by blowing the
processes. Sometimes patients feel as
though their head was in state of rotten
ness, so great is the amount of matter dis
charged and so fetid is its odor. The pa
tient, is greatly annoyed by the constant
dropping into the throat of the morbid
matter from the head and as recumbent
position naturally favors the flow downward
cause M ses Many obsea e shs
the head very muokr elevated In order to
sleep with some degrre' 'ot comfor,.
IL In others tpp'Sh, p yiseid and offensive
palate, in the passage between the throat and
head, adhering to the partswith glnish tenac-
ity. Its lodgment embarrssscs respiration
and creates sensation of irritation and un-
essiness in the affected locality, which gives
rise to a constant and almost Irresistible de-
sire to relieve that discomfort by drawing
the mucus into the throat SO as to eject it by
the mouth. This practice, poplllarly known
as 'hawking," is characteristic of catarrh,
and proves as embarrassing 10 the one af-
fected as it is disagreeable to those around
him. a. . '''alg :
deposits itself on the membrane In the shape
of dry, hard concretions which are dis
charged by way'Of the nostrils or throat in
Jumps or fragments of a deep green tint. In
ftsse.z a%nkf
to such an extent as to form regular plug
in the nose, which obstructs breathing and
produce serious discomfort. So firmly do
these incrustations adhere TO the point of
quires the most violent efforts; not unfre-
quently they have TO be torn from the mem
brane. Occasionally solid cast of notable
size Is expelled, on which there are generally
traces OF boOu. but in some cases the cast
presents a tubular appearance, being of exact
shape OF the nasal cavity. This condition is
indicative OF liberation, which, In time,
may destroy the bony structure OF the nose
and produce subsequent f1attening OF that
organ.
Cases are occasionally met with I'M which
a thick. viscid,. Shiny secretion coats the
membrane of the nasal cavities and then
putrefies, giving rise to a stencil which is
really overpowering, and sufficiently fetid
to poison the atmosphere of Il whole room;
aud there are others in which all the secre-
tions of the membrane are suspended, cans
ing an unpleasant feeling of dryncss, heat
and feyerishness in the head and noye--a
condition co1s1thn popularly known as DRY
The disease speedily extends TO the air
cavities OF the bones of the forehead and
face, giving rise to distr ressing sen sation OF
heavy weight or compression over the fore
head, especially in the region above and be-
tween the eyes, and to Il feeling OF fulness,
heat, irritation, sort ness or pal in the nos
trils near the root OF the nose as well as in
the upper part of the throat, above and be-
h ind fI.r .tr,fk I,Nz
pain obstinately fixed in some particular
part, as in the temple, on the top OF the
head, at the back of the neck, or behind the
orbits and, occasionally, pain manifests
itself IN the face of SO severe q character
that it is frequently mistaken for neuralgia.
| The breath is always tainted, and at times
assumes an exceeding fetid and Mckening
odor In some cases 1t becomes so revolt
object of disgust TO himself us well as to
Others
The nasal membrane is thickened and
contested, causing the nose to be stopped MP,
sometimes on one side, sometimes on the
other, and often on both. giving rise TO q
disagreeable, stuffy sensation in the head.
and occasioning violent and prolonged
paroXysms of sneezing
The voice is weak, Indistinct and husky.
or OF Il nasal character, displaying Il sort of
smiling quality. Oftentimes there Is con-
tinuous hoarseness and discordanco. There
Is also sense OF irritation in the part,
phlegm, producing the sound "hem," more
or less forcibly. In some cases patients
complain OF an uncomfortable feeling OF
fullness, or a choky sensation in the throat.
and in others OF a distressing and almost
constant dryness, for the temporary relief Of
Wmch thcy nave TO swallow frequently
Otheff; again, speak of Il constant bad or
nauseous taste in the mouth or throat
The stomach generally suffers more or less
ana becomes weak and irritable: the appe-
ute is capricious and nearly always bad in
IN tne morning. The patient is languid, unable
70 perform mental or physical labor with
the usual facility, is nervous, depressed in
spirits at times fearful timid agitated and
inclined TO drowsiness and sleep, the mem
ory veal. weakened and permanent impairment
The mucous mcmbRne soon becomes
morbidly sensitive to unfayorablc inf1u.
enccs, and in spite of the utmost care be-
comes affected from the slightest causes, 30
that at last breath of wind upon the lining
OF the nose or throat becomes productive OF
cold, and gives rise to serious disturbances
OF the respiratory organs. Thus the patient
is subject to frequent and repeated colds,
each attack agsrsvating the disease by Civ
ing II new impulse and involving larger
extent OF surface than its predecessor. In
this manner the difficulty spreads from or
trachea and bronchial tubes, until, en-
crOaching further and further. 1t reaches
the finer ramifications Of the bronchi, when
but slight impulse Is required to send it to
thc ShidITH olttu OOeA,
affect other organs in the body, especially
those containing mucous membrane, such
as the stomach, bowels, kidneys, etc.
By the employment Of proper inhalatIOns
in the form OF nedicated vapOr mot steam
or spray we are able to produce immediate
and direct action upon the diseased surface
in the pharynx and nasal passages, for air
will find its way into the most remote and
intricate cavities, where II is utterly impOs-
sible to make fluid applications. by these
means every case can be cured.
Persons desiring treatment by this system
OF practice can use the remedy at home as
well as at our Office, and which will cause
whatever.
have seen so many of these cases cured
that do not consider any case homeless nm.
less the disease has advanced to the ches,
aud that both lungs are seriously involved.
Even then the inhalatious aid us in dis.
solving the mucns and In contracting ana
healing the cavities, which nothing else can
10 with the same success. The very best
references from those already cured.